Woman allegedly pulled baby from stroller, wanted to eat his arm

Woman allegedly pulled baby from stroller, wanted to eat his arm

July 27th, 2011by By Ricardo Lopez/Los Angeles Times
in Local - Breaking News

LOS ANGELES - A 36-year-old woman allegedly snatched an infant from his stroller and slammed him into the metal railing of a truck as his mother and aunt tried to fight her off, police said Wednesday.

The woman, Natasha Hubbard, later told police she wanted to eat the baby's arm. The baby suffered only minor injuries.

Adriana Miranda, 29, was pushing her 4-month-old son in a stroller on July 21 when Hubbard allegedly reached into the stroller, unbelted the infant and swung him overhead, police said.

She then slammed him into the metal rail of a nearby truck.

Police said the mother and her sister tried to fight the woman off.

Miranda was eventually able to grab her baby, but Hubbard allegedly kept trying to fight, scratching at her while Miranda held the baby in her arms.

Police said the mother and aunt ran into a nearby store for help as Hubbard ran away, but the store owner pushed them back out onto the street. Officers were able to find Hubbard after witnesses pointed her out.

She was charged with aggravated assault and bail was set at $30,000. She is on probation in two separate cases, one for narcotics and another for battery. Her prior arrests also include aggravated assault and carrying dangerous weapons.

Lt. Paul Vernon of the Los Angeles Police Department said Hubbard told detectives at the police station that she tried to break off the baby's arm so she could eat it.

The baby was treated for minor bruises and scratches.

"We're so lucky Alexander was not more injured than the bruises and swelling he received," Vernon said. "He's a tough little boy, and his mom and aunt didn't hesitate to protect him."